Lady Knights' defeats Manchester CC 2-1 in opener!

09.03.11

Warwick, R.I. – September 6, 2011: The CCRI women's soccer team opened the 2011 season Saturday in Lincoln with a 2-1 victory over the Cougars of Manchester Community College from Manchester, CT. With the victory the Lady Knights begin the season 1-0 overall and in Region XXI play.

It did not take the Lady Knights long to get on the score sheet when freshman Jessica Sandin (Warwick, RI) broke in on the right side of the goal on a beautiful pass from freshman Brittany LeClair (Westerly, RI) just a little over three minutes into the contest. Sandin placed a powerful shot to the short side of the goal past the Manchester goalkeeper. The Lady Knights continued to constantly pressure the Cougars but just could not seem to find the net but hitting the crossbar a few times. However, in the 29th minute of play LeClair broke in on the Manchester goal on a nice pass from sophomore Captain Lauren Saritelli (Coventry, RI) and scored the Lady Knights second goal of the half making the score 2-0 at the halftime break.

As play began in the second half the Lady Knights were a bit flat and Manchester took advantage scoring an unassisted goal in the fourth minute of play making the score 2-1 and putting them right back into the game. However, the Lady Knights seemed to regroup throughout the rest of the half dominating play throughout but missing on many scoring opportunities. CCRI hit the crossbar a few more times but just couldn't seem to convert. The Lady Knights continued the pressure generating numerous corner kicks and scoring opportunities. Freshman goalkeeper Taylor Maurath (Burrillville, RI) registered the win stopping six of seven shots that she faced and freshman Brittany LeClair led the offense registering a goal and an assist on the day.

Head Coach Dennis Grassini commented "Coach Bannan and I are pleased with our team and the win but we must make the most of our opportunities in the future, today we did not. I give Manchester a lot of credit for hanging around and giving us some trouble at times. They are a much improved team from last season but we'll take the win and go from there".

The Lady Knights next game will be in Lincoln Tuesday, September 6th at 4:00pm versus Springfield College JV.

The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 18,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.

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